Tom Walter | ESPN E60 Selfless Sacrifice

Summary

This emotional story follows Kevin Jordan, a promising high school baseball star whose career was nearly cut short by a rare autoimmune disorder causing kidney failure. Despite the bleak outlook, his coach at Wake Forest, Tom Walter, selflessly donated a kidney to save Kevin's life. After a life-saving surgery and months of recovery, Kevin made an inspiring return to the field. The narrative highlights the bond between player and coach, the power of selflessness, and the triumph of human spirit in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

• ⚾ Kevin Jordan, a promising young baseball player, was set to start his college baseball career at Wake Forest University in 2012.
• 🏆 Kevin was a highly talented player, showing all five major baseball skills, and was even projected to be a first-round pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.
• 😷 However, during his senior year of high school, Kevin's performance suddenly declined due to an undiagnosed illness.
• 🧑‍⚕️ After months of medical uncertainty and over 20 doctor visits, Kevin was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disorder that causes kidney failure.
• 💊 Despite treatment, Kevin's condition worsened, and doctors informed him he would need a kidney transplant to survive.
• 🚑 None of Kevin's family members were viable kidney donors, and he was placed on the national donor list with a 4-5 year wait time.
• ❤️ Kevin’s baseball coach, Tom Walter, selflessly offered to donate his kidney and was found to be a match, undergoing surgery in February 2011 to save Kevin’s life.
• 💪 After the successful transplant, Kevin began his recovery and worked tirelessly to regain his strength, eventually putting back on the 40 pounds of muscle he had lost.
• 🎓 In February 2012, just over a year after the transplant, Kevin Jordan made his collegiate debut for Wake Forest, marking a triumphant return to the sport he loved.
• 🙏 Kevin and his family expressed eternal gratitude to Coach Walter for giving him a second chance at life, describing the transplant as a gift that was much bigger than baseball.

Q & A

What was Kevin Jordan's childhood dream regarding baseball?

Kevin Jordan's childhood dream was to work as hard as he could to pursue a professional career in baseball. He had been passionate about the sport from a young age, playing multiple positions and excelling in high school.

What led to Kevin Jordan's declining performance in his senior year of high school?

Kevin's performance began to decline midway through his senior year due to an illness that was initially thought to be the flu. Despite feeling sick and being unable to eat, Kevin continued playing, but his condition worsened.

How did the doctors eventually diagnose Kevin Jordan's condition?

After more than 20 doctor appointments and five months of uncertainty, doctors diagnosed Kevin with ANCA vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disorder that leads to kidney failure and can be fatal if left untreated.

What treatment did Kevin Jordan initially receive for his ANCA vasculitis diagnosis?

To save his kidneys, Kevin was put on an intensive course of dialysis three times a week, along with steroids and chemotherapy treatments. However, this treatment did not improve his condition.

What decision did Kevin Jordan's coach, Tom Walter, make after learning about Kevin's need for a kidney transplant?

Coach Tom Walter decided to get tested to see if he was a match for donating a kidney to Kevin. After undergoing a six-week battery of tests, Walter found out he was a match and agreed to donate his kidney.

What motivated Coach Walter to donate his kidney to Kevin Jordan?

Coach Walter explained that the decision to donate was simple: he couldn't sit on the sidelines and watch Kevin fight for his life when he had the ability to help.

What was the outcome of the kidney transplant for Kevin Jordan?

The kidney transplant was successful, and Kevin quickly felt better. The kidney was functioning well, giving Kevin a new chance at life. Over time, he was able to regain his strength and return to playing baseball.

How did Kevin Jordan progress after the kidney transplant?

After the transplant, Kevin returned to Wake Forest and worked out rigorously, doing two workouts a day to regain the 40 pounds of muscle he had lost. He eventually returned to the baseball field and made his collegiate debut in 2012.

What was Kevin Jordan's performance like in his first college baseball game?

In his first college baseball game, Kevin struggled initially, striking out three times. However, after some encouragement from Coach Walter, Kevin calmed down and hit a line drive for his first collegiate hit.

How did Kevin Jordan reflect on Coach Walter’s kidney donation?

Kevin Jordan expressed immense gratitude for Coach Walter’s kidney donation, stating that it was the best decision the coach could have made. The transplant gave him his life back, which meant more than just being able to play baseball.